We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($415 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My wife passed away a long time ago, leaving behind our daughter who now stays with her grandmother. I live alone and support myself by selling charcoal. The assistance from GiveDirectly has given me hope for a better future. With the first transfer, I was able to pay dowry to marry my second wife, which was something I couldn't afford before, leading me to live alone. With the second transfer, I planned to renovate my house and buy a bed and mattress, which I did with $450. Unfortunately, $150 of the remaining money was stolen from my house, which was very painful. Nonetheless, I'm grateful to God for what I've been able to achieve, considering my past circumstances.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What really struck me was the unconditional nature of the cash assistance we received, which empowered us greatly. We were free to utilize the money in ways that best suited our needs, granting us a sense of freedom and control over our finances. So far, I did not see any inefficiencies.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Now that I remarried, my next goal is to search for a more stable job that can support both of us. Previously, this wasn't feasible as I had no one to manage the household in my absence. I'm confident that by venturing beyond my village in search of employment opportunities, my life will take a significant turn for the better.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($343 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a widower; my wife passed away some years ago, leaving me with our daughter. According to our cultural norms, it wasn't acceptable for a man to live alone with his daughter, and as a result, my daughter was taken away from me. My deepest desire had always been to reunite with her under the same roof, but financial constraints hindered me from marrying another wife. Despite my efforts of burning and selling charcoal and saving for the dowry that had been requested, the likelihood seemed distant, leaving me feeling depressed as I missed out on witnessing my daughter's growth milestones. Therefore, I spent $350 of the transfer and added it to my dowry savings so that I could get a wife and bring my daughter home, making me a happy and proud father. I then set aside $200 of the transfer for food because we come from a place where hunger is very prominent. Having some money saved that would help us during hunger gives me some assurance that when my daughter comes, she won't have to sleep hungry.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly has profoundly impacted me. My dream of reuniting with my daughter is becoming a reality, something that would have taken me many more years to achieve on my own. Both my daughter and I are now filled with happiness because we have always longed to be together again. With this newfound opportunity, I can redirect my earnings from charcoal burning towards providing for my soon-to-be family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Throughout the day, I dedicated most of my time to tending my farm, focusing on weeding as my crops were struggling. Upon returning home in the evening, I glanced at my phone and noticed a mobile money notification. Given my limited literacy, I reached out to my nephew to read and interpret the message for me. To my delight, he confirmed that I had received money from GiveDirectly. The realization of this news filled me with immense excitement as it signified the actualization of my dreams.
As a widower, my wife having passed away some years ago, I found myself left with our daughter. According to our cultural norms, it wasn't acceptable for a man to live alone with his daughter, and as a result, she was taken away from me. My deepest desire had always been to reunite with her under the same roof, but financial constraints hindered me from taking another wife. Despite my efforts of burning charcoal and saving for the dowry that had been requested, the prospect seemed distant, leaving me feeling depressed as I missed out on witnessing my daughter's growth milestones.
Upon receiving the funds from GiveDirectly, my initial instinct was to add on to my dowry savings in pursuit of marrying a wife and bringing my daughter back home. GiveDirectly's intervention brought this aspiration within reach, and I am filled with immense joy, as I had never fathomed the possibility of obtaining such a substantial sum of money
Enrolled
access_time 10 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widower and I have been living alone for more than three years now. The structure I am living is a temporary one where it serves during dry seasons only but during rains season it leaks all through. I can not store any valuable item in the house during rain season.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Food has been a challenge for me since I do casual jobs and sometimes It can take me almost two months without any job. So getting food has been a challenge. However in April this year we received rain and I planted maize crops on my one acre piece of land and harvested two bags of maize each 90kg and the food has sustained me for the past three months now and it will take me through February next year. The harvest brought happiness in my life.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have been a widower for the last three years now. Life has not been easy for me due to loneliness . I do casual jobs earning approximately $40 per month which caters for food only. I am also living in a structure which is semi permanent and it can be blown by wind anytime because the walls are very weak. I will use $500 to build a two room house so as to start life a fresh. I will also use $300 to pay bride price so as to marry another wife and have company once more.